What are the characteristics of an ” ideal man ” – a great soul according to the great Greek philosopher Aristotle? But the ideal man according to Aristotle – the great soul – is not a simple metaphysical philosopher.
• Does not put himself in danger for trivial reasons
since few are the things he considers valuable. But he put himself in danger for an important purpose, and will be ready to sacrifice his life, since he believes that it is not worth it to protect one’s life at any price.
• He likes to benefit,
but he is ashamed to benefit him, for the former is a sign of superiority and the latter an inferiority.
• Does not compete with others
for the common objects of ambition, nor does it go where others hold the first place;
• He must openly express both love and hate,
since concealment shows cowardice.
• Can not let his life revolve around someone else,
unless he is a friend, because such behavior would be slavish.
• Rarely admires something,
since nothing is great for him.
• Nor is he vindictive,
because it is not a sign of a generous person to remember the injustices he has suffered but to ignore them.
• He does not talk about people, neither about himself nor about others,
because he wants neither to praise him nor to slander others. And he neither praises nor maligns, not even his enemies, unless he is offended.
• Does not complain or ask for help for unavoidable or insignificant issues,
since only whoever takes them seriously would behave like that.
• His movement is slow, his voice heavy and his words measured.
Why does not the one who takes a few issues seriously rush, nor does the one who does not consider anything important get excited. Because the harsh voice and the haste are due to the rush and the excitement
• Endures all kinds of misfortunes with dignity,
and always does the best he can depending on the circumstances, as the capable general uses in the most effective way the forces at his disposal.
• He is his best friend,
and he likes isolation, while the man without virtue or abilities is his own worst friend and fears loneliness.
